How can this concept be applied to YOUR marketing efforts?

In our effort to showcase quality ideas and quality promotions in the Quack! blog, we’re launching a promotional spotlight feature today. With this series, we hope to highlight specific products that may be of interest to our clients. Beyond simply offering special pricing, however, we hope to provide some specific ideas for how the chosen product could be used for real promotional impact. Just consider it a mini brainstorming session with the Sitting Dux designed to net some creative marketing ideas.

DEBOSSED SILICONE BRACELETS

Your message is debossed deep into the bracelet for a unique look. The bracelets are available in most Pantone colors to coordinate with your brand. Plan ahead with this item because the production time is approximately 4-6 weeks after artwork approval. Notice the low minimum order — only 100 pieces! Set-up is $50 and the pricing includes debossing in 1 location.

Qty = 100
Price = $4.40 each

Qty = 250
Price = $2.19 each

Qty = 1000
Price = $0.98

HOW CAN I USE THIS PRODUCT?

Multi-day festivals or events
If you need a way to offer visitors access to multi-day festivals or events, why not try the wristband? A festival-goer’s ticket buys them a customized bracelet that offers free entry for the duration of the event. Plus, attendees walk away with a built-in souvenir of a fun time–a great way to begin building a following for yearly events!

Summer camps or school orientation sessions
Whether you are planning a summer full of youth church camps or kid’s science and educational weeks, this silicone bracelet is a great team-building tool. Camp attendees love to have tangible reminders of a great experience. For children and teenagers, your camp’s bracelet will become a treasured possession. During camp, this bracelet can serve as a camper’s entry access for camp transportation, a “purchasing” tool for camp materials or supplies, and another opportunity for providing security. In addition, purchase quantities in various colors and use the bracelet as a means of organizing “teams” for recreation, transportation, rotating seminars or activities, etc.

Preferred customer promotions
For retail businesses or restaurants this wristband is also a unique way to execute customer appreciation or preferred customer purchasing programs. If you need a way for customers to show their loyalty to your store or restaurant, offer the bracelet with a “cool” statement that customers will want to wear. Offer special deals or discounts to customers who wear it into the store. This product is a fun summer alternative to the standard punch card for restaurant or bar drink specials or food discounts. Patrons can purchase the bracelet for a one-time fee and wear to gain discounts on selected items — a great option in college towns like ours!

The corporate “uniform” today is becoming more and more varied and often times more casual. However, businesses and organizations are seeing that the way their team members are clothed can make a powerful impression on customers. Offering employees a collection of brand-sensitive and logo-embellished wearables is a great way to foster a consistent brand image with the public as well as help team members to “buy in” to the brand identity. In addition, corporate-centered wearables can be a huge asset for visibility in situations like tradeshows, conferences, or industry events. But, how do you provide wearables your women executives and team members will want to wear — and items they’ll feel comfortable in?

Women often feel at their best and most productive when they are comfortable and at ease in their clothing. Corporate wearables are no different than personal fashion choices in that regard. Offering adequate choices is one of the keys to creating a successful corporate wearables program that will meet the requirements of both men and women.

Because of the considerable trend toward logo-wear in the workplace, there are a multitude of garment options for women to choose from. When determining pieces to include in your corporate wearables package for women, pay attention to these three considerations: options, details and flexibility.

Options.
For women, the thought of wearing a specific “uniform” is sometimes off-putting. Women value individuality in their clothing choices, so offering those options can make a corporate wearable program more successful. When planning your logo-wear options, color can be a great way to provide brand consistency while also allowing for individuality. Offering a variety of clothing pieces and styles within the same brand color palette can offer a uniform “look” as well as enable team members to exercise personal preferences. For example, the polished blouse and women’s cut polo in the blue color family above offer both “dressed-up” and more casual options that will work in different business situations and for different tastes. In addition, this flexible approach to a team look gives your business a less “Stepford” and more current look, showing prospects and other companies a more individual-based approach to doing business–a real plus for larger companies in particular.

Details.
One of the main areas where corporate wearables fall short in outifitting women team members is in choosing items that are primarily designed for men. The details in the cuts of men’s clothing versus women’s is very noticeable for women employees. Pay attention to size breakdowns and choose items that are available specifically in women’s sizes to provide a more comfortable fit. Consider fashion details such as the cut of the waist or shape of the hemline. Items that flatter women tend to include a cut that is smaller at the waist and wider at the hip, rather than a straight cut. Also, women often enjoy wearing their blouses and shirts untucked, so a straight or only slightly curved hemline can provide a more professional look. In addition, take sleeve lengths into account when choosing items to include in the program. Options like the 3/4 sleeve straight-hem shirt and the more casual v-neck tee shirt shown above offer alternatives to the standard boxy company tee shirt.

Flexibility.
Women tend to layer their clothing year-round. By providing a selection of wearables that can be layered, the flexibility of the pieces is greatly expanded. Consider items like tee shirts, polos and button-downs that can be combined, as well as vest, sweater and jacket options. By maintaining a limited selection of colors for some of the pieces and expanded options for others, team members can create an individual look that also maintains a consistent image. Even for the warmer months, include items like the cardigan sweater or casual trench shown above. These items lend a professional image, but are more flexible for various events than the standard blue blazer approach.

By creatively choosing logo-embellished clothing options that afford individuality and flexibility along with reinforcing the company brand and image, businesses can develop corporate wearables programs that receive full support from both their men and women team members.

First: What is a brand anyway?

There are many definitions of “brand” out there, but perhaps the most basic is this: Your brand is the “image” of your business in the marketplace. That image is a combination of your story and your message, as well as the perceptions of your company or organization in the marketplace — how your target audience and the public at large view your company, your people, your products and your services.

“Brands” can be crafted, but they don’t exist in a vacuum. Maintaining a consistent and positive brand image is an essential tool for productive marketing. It involves consistently taking the temperature of your business or organization both internally and externally.

When you build your brand, you begin by understanding and recognizing who you are as a company and what you have to offer. You craft a “look” and a message that reflects your unique offerings. You gauge how your target audience and the greater marketplace perceives that image. You adjust. You plan ahead to capitalize on market and internal changes. The goal is helping those two visions (internal and external) to slowly coalesce into a single view or image that makes your business seem like the best (or only) option for our customers.

At Dux D’Lux, when we begin the process of understanding and further developing the “brand” of a business, we often begin with a series of questions to help our client get into the right branding mindset and begin to recognize their own company’s image.

These questions can help you begin to craft your brand…

• What do I have to offer that no one else can?

• What sets me apart and makes my organization unique?

• What 3 words do I want customers to use to describe my company? My products? My people?

• Who is my ideal customer?

• Who is my competition?

• What differentiates me from my competition?

• How does my organization address the specific needs of my industry?

• What kind of reputation does my business have?

• How do I deal with dissatisfied customers?

• What is the first thing I want people to think when they hear my company name?

• In one sentence, what is the story of my business?

For a broader view of how your company is perceived, consider asking a sampling of your team members and customers these same questions. The answers can give you great insight into how effective your story telling is and what ways your brand may need to shift or expand.

As you consider branding for your company, think of the businesses within your market area (regardless of industry). Which ones stand out as the most impressive and why? What can you learn from those impressions to improve your approach to your own brand?

Yep. It stopped me, too.  I was cruising down aisle 4 in the local Starkville Kroger grocery store, having just picked up my standard variety Heinz Ketchup no-watery-gunk, stand-on-your cap bottle. I had passed the Heinz section, even passed the generibrand section, and was moving on to salad dressings when I abruptly stopped my shopping cart.

It had suddenly registered with me that out of the corner of my eye during my selection process, I had seen the above ketchup specimen. The bottle was the same. The Heinz logo and their trademark gold and green were the same. The ketchup was red just like in every other Heinz bottle. And, it took it a moment for the question to register in my mind. But, there it was.

“EVER TRY KETCHUP CAKE?”

It was a subtle question. But, in those brief few seconds of choosing my bottle, I somehow noticed it, and I even noticed that there was a rweb address underneath it–one I assumed would tell me more about ketchup cake.  It was intriguing enough that even after I had moved on to Creamy Ranch, I stopped my cart. I whipped it around to move against the flow–in violation of all Saturday morning grocery shopping etiquette. I back-tracked to the Heinz section, put back my same-old, same-old ketchup bottle and picked up the one about cake. You can bet that just after I got it home and into its rightful place in the refrigerator door, I fired up heinzketchup.com to search down a cake recipe related to America’s favorite tomato goop.

To my thinking, Heinz Ketchup cake was a fine example of inspired packaging. For a couple of reasons (well, at least five)…

1. It was eye-catching. Not in the bells and whistles kind of way. It caught my attention by its pure simplicity. It presented a simple question in black type on a white background. That’s all.

2. It showcased the brand. Of course Heinz was front and center. It was recognizable as the beloved company I’ve come to trust in my kitchen. And, if they could make CAKE with ketchup, they really must be the supreme authority.

3. It was an unexpected idea. Who knew ketchup and cake could go together? Perfectly stated in just four words, it put the operative ideas together to get me intrigued… Ketchup. Cake.

4. It provided enough variety to break the visual mold. Yes, this bottle was standing right next to the standard large-logoed Heinz fare. The shape and colors of the bottle were the same. It offered enough similarity to let me know I was looking at MY ketchup. But, it was just different enough to stand out. AND, there were other questions–ones about craving meatloaf or french fries. All were conceived to put the taste of ketchup in my mouth and stimulate my inquisitive grocery-shopping mind.

5. It gave me a way to further engage with the brand. I knew as soon as I looked at the bottle that the answer to my burning ketchup cake question would be found right there at heinzketchup.com. I found it quickly under the recipe link, and meanwhile, I was exposed to the “freshest” tomatoes they use to make the ketchup, the smiling faces of children just like mine enjoying the ketchup, the new “Dip and Squeeze” ketchup to go, and the possibility of countless other easy ketchup recipes.

By the way, the ketchup cake recipe was for a Spice Nut Cake and called for 2/3 cup of Heinz ketchup along with nutmeg, walnuts, lemon peel and the usual cake stuff. Can’t wait to try it!

Maximizing your business’ marketing budget and freshening your marketing approaches is no different. Budget-friendly marketing options are at the top of every business owner’s list during the challenging economic trends we’ve been facing. The first step to making your marketing dollar go further is to make sure you are maximizing what you already have in place.

One relatively easy “tweak” is to make marketing an essential part of how you conduct your business on a daily basis. It’s about upping the marketing quotient in how you deal with daily business practices like employee management, customer communication and the day-to-day workings of your company.

We so often think of the nuts and bolts of running a business as separate from marketing a brand, products or services. But, that robs us of constant opportunities to extend our marketing message with systems we already have in place — changes that don’t require a new budget line item.

Consider these simple business practices that can enhance your company’s marketing efforts.

EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT
1. Initiate staff meetings. Even if you have a staff of only 2 or 3, regular staff meetings can keep your entire team on the same page with project statuses, deadlines, customer service approaches, upcoming events and more. They can also make it easier for you to address questions and concerns that arise. By involving your staff in discussions, you will help them to “buy-in” to the company vision and brand.

2. Offer team gear.- Whether it’s a polo with your logo embroidered on it or a branded journal book used to take notes with clients, providing your team with logo-wear and logo-ware will put your image front and center as they go about their jobs. Not only does this approach present a consistent look to your customers, but it plays a huge role in creating a team mindset–and essential element in getting your entire staff to sell your brand.

CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION
1. Send client-specific reminders. Keep track of when various customers utilize your services, especially repeat customers. If you maintain a calendar of past client projects or purchases, you can often be proactive in encouraging repeat business. Sending out reminders ahead of time for annual events, birthdays, holidays that need gifting, etc will let customers know you are considering their needs.

2. Write thank you notes. Nothing impresses like saying “thank you.” Put the writing of thank you notes into your normal sales protocol. A personal note at the end of a project or after a purchase will serve as a last impression for a client’s experience with your company. It’s an impression that your customers won’t soon forget.

DAY TO DAY BUSINESS
1. Include your logo on all your customer & vendor correspondence — sales receipts, invoices, quote forms, information sheets, contracts, letterhead, envelopes… anything your customer will see should be branded with your logo.

2. Take advantage of email correspondence. Use a standard “signature” with every email that includes all your contact information as well as your web address and links to your social media accounts. In addition, consider including a brand or positioning statement that offers a quick glimpse at your services. You use email to communicate every day. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell your story.

3. Build a customer database. It’s easy to obtain customer email addresses, mainly because you use them every day to correspond. Begin a database of email addresses (and physical mailing addresses). Email reminders and alerts can be a very effective and non-threatening way to stay in touch with your customer base.

We’ve been thinking about new things a lot lately as we’ve been evaluating what’s in store for the quack! blog. We have some exciting new themes to share with you in the next few days and some well-designed posts in the future. All this exploration of blog writing had us thinking about writing in general–and about “green” writing in particular.

Miss Jenn, our resident promotional guru, shared with me two great utensils for “green” writing. These eco-friendly pens are made with post-consumer recycled paper. They are an ideal choice for your promotional message, and they show your commitment to conserving natural resources as well. Well-designed responsibility! We like it!

SPECIAL PRICING NOW!

Dual Function Eco-Friendly Pen/Highlighter
A recycled paper barrel with wooden clip houses a chisel tip highlighter and pen with fade resistant ink.
Colors available: Natural paper barrel with green, red, orange, blue or black trim.
(yellow highlighter)
Pricing includes 1-color imprint in 1 location

Minimum quantity: 250 pens
Price: $0.79 each
Set-up: $40
Special expires: 12/31/10

ECOL Retractable Pen
Made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, this retractable pen is available in black ink with a medium point tip.
Trim colors: black, blue or green
Pricing includes 1-color imprint in 1 location

Minimum quantity: 300 pens
Price: $0.85 each
Set up: No charge
Special expires: 4/30/10

GREEN WRITING

We’ve noticed that “green” writing extends beyond just your utensils. The “green” values of conservation, economy and reuse actually work pretty nicely when you’re crafting your message, too. Well-written verbiage is an essential element for any good marketing effort, whether it’s a Facebook status, a brochure paragraph or a web page. As you’re testing out your new “green” promotional pens, try out these quick tips for quality “green” writing as well….

1. Replace two words with one. Edit your text rigorously. If you can use one word instead of two or three to describe or explain a concept, do it! Cull out unnecessary expressions. Simple and concise messages are much easier to absorb.

2. Use “active voice.” Harken back to the admonition of your 8th grade English teacher. You’ll use fewer words when you write your sentences in the “active” rather than “passive” voice. For example, rather than saying “Our service was voted the best in the state by Media XYZ,” try using “Media XYZ votes our service the best in the state.”

3. Use “action” words. Your message will be dynamic and more on-point when you use action words. Instead of common verbs, consider more descriptive choices that can highlight your effort and expertise. For example, instead of “Miss Jenn found…,” try “Miss Jenn researched,” or “Miss Jenn brainstormed,” or “Miss Jenn unearthed.” Action words lend more impact to your message.

4. Vary your sentence structure. A string of simple sentences can become boring. Try a mix of simple and compound sentences to add interest and provide natural rhythm for the reader. Employ a parallel structure for making comparisons and presenting concepts in a series.  The repeated structure will lend more power to your statements.

5. Reuse! Yes, it’s ok to reuse your verbiage. In fact, it’s a marketing essential. Maintain a consistent message by repeating it in various venues. Be sure to use the same tone and perspective with all communications. In addition, use the time-honored journalistic approach of offering a “who-what-where-when-why” introduction along with a summary paragraph for any lengthy text.

There’s no question that using appropriate business etiquette in your company communications can produce a great marketing advantage. Beyond the common courtesies of “please” and “thank you,” exercising good manners in your marketing efforts gives your message a better chance of being heard. During the hectic holiday season, those etiquette skills can be seen most vividly in how you approach sending holiday cards. Whether you’re making a first impression or offering a seasoned thank you for continued business, consider these tips for minding your holiday manners.

Acknowledge the season. With the plethora of card options out there and the crazy lines at the post office, it’s tempting to simply opt out of the holiday card-sending game. Don’t do it! In this day and age, acknowledging the holiday season is a staunch expectation even in the business world. Even if you’ve chosen to shift your mailing to Thanksgiving or New Years to avoid the rush, it is still important to send a December holiday message of some kind–even if it is a simple emailing.

Fine-tune your message. Much debate exists around whether to use the phrases “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hannukah,” or “Happy Holidays.” Only you can decide which is most appropriate for your business and clientele. Err on the side of caution when writing your specific holiday verbiage. Reflect your own company’s “culture,” but avoid terminology that may be offensive to your broader audience. Also, be sure to communicate gratitude for continued business where appropriate and well-wishes for the coming year. Overselling in your holiday cards can be off-putting. Avoid overt marketing terminology and opt for a subtle presentation of your logo with a tag line of services.

Make sure your mailing list is up to date. It can be an arduous task, but be sure your names and addresses are correct. Sending holiday wishes to a contact who’s moved on from your business client simply highlights your lack of attention and undermines your efforts at “personal” service. It’s easiest to maintain your mailing list throughout the year, but at the least, devote staff time to verifying information before holiday cards are mailed.

Add titles to your recipient names. The added formality of a “Mr.” or “Ms.” in your address block creates a festive appeal during the holiday season.These titles offer a show of respect to your individual client contacts that won’t be missed. Be safe with your women clients and use the “Ms.” prefix rather than risk offense with a “Miss” or “Mrs.” used incorrectly.

Personalize. Personal details always carry more power than “form” communications. Address your cards to actual people in addition to whole businesses or organizations. Write a personal note on your cards, if possible, making reference to individual relationships. Acknowledge specific projects on which you’ve worked, recognize specific accomplishments or extend greetings to family members. One sentence will suffice, but make it a personal one. Oh, and use your best penmanship!

Consider your envelope. Don’t forget that the envelope is the first thing your card recipient sees. You can make your holiday cards more special simply by printing the return address on the flap rather than the front of the envelope. Also, actual stamps make a more personal impression than printed bulk mail insignia and offer extra holiday cheer. In addition, hand-written addresses are another way to add personal detail to your cards–even if it’s not your own handwriting. Many direct mail vendors offer hand-addressing services.

Sending corporate or organizational Christmas cards can be an overwhelming task. Make sure you get the most marketing return from the process by using these mild-mannered tips.

Need help getting your “dux” in a row? Give us a call! We’ll help you craft your message, design a unique card presentation and handle your mailing–all in plenty of time for Santa’s milk and cookies!

Are you the best media outlet for your customers?

I’ve been pondering that question over the last few weeks. I recently read the results of the “2009 Survey on Marketing, Media and Measurement” conducted by King Fish Media. It offers some great insights into how marketing managers across the country are approaching their jobs in today’s high-tech, social-media fluent market.

One of the most interesting thoughts that emerged from the survey responses was the concept of “custom content.” Rather than relying on traditional advertising outlets for engaging customers, 86% of marketing managers said their companies were currently creating or planned to create original content to educate their clients about their products, services and events. Eight out of ten respondents felt companies and brands could produce content just as engaging and informative as traditional media companies.

It’s easy to see how the trend toward custom content is growing. It’s most easily seen in the online arena. An increasing number of businesses and organizations are creating social media profiles and using outlets like Facebook and Twitter to expand their reach. Many are starting company blogs like this one, designed offer information to clients in a more interactive format. Many are loading their websites with more customer-friendly features to foster easier communication. Whether through more content-rich organizational websites, corporate blogs or 140-character Twitter posts, more and more companies are determined to BE the media for their clients rather than rely on others to disseminate their stories through news coverage or paid advertisements.

Great. But, how do you go about “being” the media? I think it starts with seeing your website and other communication outlets as more than expanded business cards or sales flyers. Communications in today’s marketplace is a complete buyer’s market. With the plethora of media options available, your customers are holding all the cards. They decide who, when and where they get their information, and how often. If you want your message to be heard, you must make your communications a valuable and beneficial resource–not just a continual announcement of your latest sale.  Here are a few tips on how you can transform your internet presence into a media resource your clients won’t work without.

Start with knowing your audience. Who is your client base? The old-school adage of first marketing to your current customers holds true–even in this new age of digital communication. Customers who are already using your products and services are your best source for what your clients are looking for–not to mention your best source for repeat business. Pay attention. Look at who your customers are and how they typically contact you. What are the common questions they ask about your products and services? How do they like to place their orders? What motivates them to use your company? Let your answers to these questions impact the content you choose to communicate.

Focus on adding value. Make your website, emailings or profile posts more than just digital coupons. Granted, an online freebie every now and then is a great attraction for followers, but if that’s all you ever have to offer, customers will quickly tire of your message. Give your audience a reason to listen, whether through insider information, easy-to-follow tips or just plain good ideas.

Move beyond strict self-promotion to building relationships. Focus on engaging your audience and building relationships of trust.  Internet user “hits” and profile follower and fan counts are all comprised of people. Speak when spoken to. Be just as committed to learning about those folks as you are about communicating your message. Pose questions. Listen to the responses from clients and have conversations. Adjust your approach to the “message” based on your person-to-person communications.

Establish yourself as an expert in your industry. You know your business and your industry. Let that knowledge come through in your communications. Offer clients the unselfish benefit of your experience, and they will see you as a trusted first resource when a specific need arises.

Give it time and attention. Don’t apply the “squeaky wheel” approach to maintaining your website or online media profiles. A void in your online communication efforts will rarely present itself. Your customers will simply move on to another website or profile that offers a more engaging message.  Commit your team to daily time and creativity spent on building your online presence and communicating with your internet audience.

In Starkville, we’ve just now started getting some crisp, cooler days, and stores and houses are sporting pumpkins, scarecrows and orange. But, if you look a little closer, you’ll still find some red and green peeking through in preparation for the Holiday season.

That’s right. It’s only October, but it’s time to begin thinking about how your business or organization will offer well-wishes to customers this Christmas season. It pays to plan ahead for your corporate holiday gifting to take advantage of early specials and avoid the last minute production and shipping rush.

Acknowledging the holiday season with client cards or gifts is a great way to show gratitude for the blessings of the year, reward customer loyalty and remind your clients of your offerings in the coming new year. However, with the abundance of mail and office gifts that filter through during the season, you want to be sure yours will stand out.  Consider these creative ideas for choosing promotional items and holiday cards that will make an impression this season.

1. When choosing client holiday gifts, get long-term promotional impact with items that are useful beyond the Christmas season. Gifts like customized desktop calendars, planners or note-taking journals give your company regular exposure all year long. For years, Dux D’Lux provided our clients with slim month-at-a-glance desktop planners as Christmas gifts. They were wildly popular because they offered just enough space for writing events and could easily be slipped into a portfolio pocket for meetings.

One of the favorite items we received from one of our vendors was custom printed legal pads that included the coming year’s calendar in the margin — very helpful for planning meetings and creative brainstorming! Regardless of the season, practical promotional items put your brand front and center well beyond the delivery date.

2. Consider customer holiday gifts that offer clients a sampling of your products and services. What better way to show them what you have to offer? Restaurant or retail businesses could offer gift baskets with favorite product samples. Clothing companies or screen printers like ourselves could give custom designed tee shirts.

For several years, Dux D’Lux sent Christmas cards that included a custom-designed set of gift tag/enclosures. The to-from tags offered clients a way to spread their own holiday cheer as well as offered examples of our agency’s creativity and design prowess. Our favorite theme centered on “a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer” where each member of our staff produced their own portrait of one of Santa’s sleigh-pullers. “Vixen” was probably the funniest!

3. For your best clients, make holiday gifts personal. Consider monogramming or having a client’s logo embroidered on an item. Personalization makes standard gifts like briefcases, computer cases or pad portfolios more special. Winter wearables are also great items that can be embroidered or screen printed with custom logos when you want to give to several people within the same office. With personalized items, sometimes your thoughtful consideration and attention to detail will make even more of an impression than something bearing YOUR business logo.

4. When choosing holiday gifts for multiple customers within the same organization, consider a gift directed to the “office” as well as items for specific individuals with whom you’ve worked. Personal contact is such an important factor for clients making decisions about products and services–especially in a slower economy. When gifting for B2B clients, don’t overlook the personal relationships you and your staff have built with individuals. Office gifts are appropriate, but additional, more personalized gifts can show appreciation to individual decision-makers.

And, don’t forget the administrative professionals! Make a lasting impression with the ones who take your phone messages or schedule your meetings with a small token of your appreciation. Gift cards to local restaurants, desktop items, or even flower deliveries are great choices.

5. Use the season to give back–in your clients’ names. Nothing spreads holiday cheer like giving, especially to worthy causes. You can show your business’ corporate responsibility by sending gifts to charitable organizations in honor of your clients. If you client base is primarily local, why not choose a local organization where your donation can benefit your own community. In addition, non-profit groups that relate to your specific industry can also be worthy options.

Be sure to choose reputable charities that have a verifiable record of how donations are used. And, send your own announcement to your clients. Although many charities send acknowledgements when receiving donations in honor of a third party, you can offer a customized message to your customers alerting them to the gift as well.

If you would like more ideas for how you can creatively say “thank you” to your customers and associates during the holiday season, give Dux D’Lux a call. We can help you tailor a gift-giving message to your specific organization’s needs. We can even handle your direct-mail distribution if required.

A logo design that is used repeatedly throughout a company’s marketing program can greatly increase the effectiveness of each piece by providing much-needed brand recognition, by conveying important “at-a-glance” information about products and services and by offering a consistent and professional “look” for all business communications. It sounds good, right? But, how can you be sure you have an effective logo?

When I put on my pink self-promotion hat (the one with the whirligig on top), the short answer is to call Dux D’Lux, of course. But, there are a few guidelines that I often share with clients who are contemplating the logo development process. Creating a company or organizational logo or comprehensive brand can be a difficult and time-consuming process. It helps to set a few parameters at the outset for what constitutes a good logo design–what an effective logo must accomplish for your business. Consider these four requirements as you begin the process.

APPEAL. A visual identity should appeal to your prospective clientele, and help your business stand out among the many symbols and images confronting them daily. In addition, even if your customer base is fairly specific, your logo will be viewed by a wider audience. Thus, it can effect your company’s reputation even among people outside your target group. A visual identity should create favorable associations for a wide range of people without alienating.

TIME. An effective visual identity has a timeless look and appeal. Although it will probably be updated several times throughout your company’s life, in most situations a logo should serve you for a decade or more. While your business strategies may respond to trends, a trendy logo will more likely undermine your company image.

FLEXIBILITY. Your logo will be used in a variety of applications throughout its life. It must work equally well from business cards to billboards. It should be adaptable for use in many media including offset printing, screen printing, promotional product production, video, internet, etc. Although it is important to be consistent in the use of color in your logo, it should also be easily converted to black and white, for cases when a 1-color application is more economical.

APPROPRIATENESS. An effective visual identity communicates your business style and strategies. It interprets your company goals, commitments and services for the public. The “look” of your identity, your choice of images, colors and typefaces, should reflect the reality of what you do, as well as the image you want to portray.

If you are ready to create a more professional and attractive image for your organization, an effective logo is the first step. Give us a call! Of all the projects I mentioned, logo development is definitely my FAVORITE.